Incidence, pattern and factors associated with home accidents among the elderly in Wattala Medical Officer of Health area, Sri Lanka

Authors:

Rasika Nilanthie Jayasekera,

Divisional hospital Pamunugama, LK

Chrishantha Abeysena

Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, LK

About Chrishantha

Abstract

Background: Good health is essential for older people to remain independent and to play a significant role in the family as well as in the community. Home accident is one that causes significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly population and a burden to the family and country. Objective: To determine the incidence and factors associated with home accidents among elders aged 60 years and above in Wattala Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 884 elderly persons selected using cluster sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Multiple logistic regression was applied to calculate adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI. Results: The incidence of home accidents among the elderly during past one month was 10.9% (95% CI=8.7, 13.1). It was 16.4% (95% CI=4.8, 27.9) among those aged 75 years and above and 8.9% (95% CI=6.5, 11.3) between 60 to 74 years. The sex-specific incidence of home accidents was 11.2% (95% CI=7.5, 14.8) among females and 10.4% (95% CI=5.1, 15.6) among males. Of the 96 home accidents, most were due to falls at the same level (n=40, 41.7%); occurred between 8.00 am to 12 noon (n=27, 28.1%) and between 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm (n=26, 27.1%); and took place in bed room (n=35, 36.5%). Among the victims, 80 (83.3%) had an injury most commonly on the head and neck area (n=33, 41.7%). The majority received treatment from general practice (89.6%) and out-patient department of private hospitals (52.4%). Presence of hypertension (OR=1.96; 95% CI=1.3, 3.0), arthritis (OR=2.4; 95% CI=1.5, 3.8) and difficulty in the mobility of upper part of the body (OR=2.2; 95% CI=1.3, 3.9) were significant factors associated with the occurrence of home accidents after adjusting for confounders.Conclusions: Awareness programs should be conducted on home accidents for caregivers especially caring for elders with physical disabilities.

How to Cite:
Jayasekera, R.N. and Abeysena, C., 2018. Incidence, pattern and factors associated with home accidents among the elderly in Wattala Medical Officer of Health area, Sri Lanka. Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 24(4), pp.141–148. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v24i4.8157

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Jayasekera, R.N. and Abeysena, C., 2018. Incidence, pattern and factors associated with home accidents among the elderly in Wattala Medical Officer of Health area, Sri Lanka. Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 24(4), pp.141–148. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v24i4.8157

Jayasekera RN, Abeysena C. Incidence, pattern and factors associated with home accidents among the elderly in Wattala Medical Officer of Health area, Sri Lanka. Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka. 2018;24(4):141–8. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v24i4.8157

Jayasekera, R. N., & Abeysena, C. (2018). Incidence, pattern and factors associated with home accidents among the elderly in Wattala Medical Officer of Health area, Sri Lanka. Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 24(4), 141–148. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v24i4.8157

Jayasekera RN and Abeysena C, ‘Incidence, Pattern and Factors Associated with Home Accidents Among the Elderly in Wattala Medical Officer of Health Area, Sri Lanka’ (2018) 24 Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka 141 DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v24i4.8157